The Church
Purpose
To understand God’s intent for the church and how each of us can contribute to its overall
impact.
ACTS 2:42-47
» The first disciples were devoted to God and to one another.
» They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to
prayer.
» They spent time in each other’s homes and worshipped together.
» They were sincere and looked to meet each other’s needs.
QQ: How does this picture compare with your experiences of church life?
COLOSSIANS 1:15-18
» Jesus is supreme in the universe and in the church. He is the head and the church is his body.
» In the church we strive to follow his teachings and imitate his life.
EPHESIANS 2:19-22
» Here the church is spoken of as a family, as a kingdom, and as a building.
QQ: Which of these most connects with you?
» As the cornerstone, Jesus is the perfect stone by which every other stone is shaped.
EPHESIANS 4:1-6
» God loves unity and wants his family to be unified.
» We maintain unity by being humble, gentle, patient, and full of love.
» All believers everywhere are bound together and share one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and one Father.
EPHESIANS 4:11-16
» God gives gifts and puts people in roles to build up and strengthen his church.
» God’s aim is unity, maturity and protection from false teaching.
» Through honest and loving conversation, and each part doing its work, the church grows and is
built up in love.
ROMANS 12:4-8
» Just as in the human body, each member of the church is essential.
» God calls us to use our gifts to bless the church.
QQ: What do you think your gifts are and how do you think you can use them to glorify God and
build up his church?
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27
» We enter the body of Christ in baptism.
» We all need each other in the same way the body needs all of its parts!
» Members of the body share in each other’s joy and suffering.
MATTHEW 6:19-21, MARK 12:42-44
» In the church, we give generously to meet the needs of the church and to help spread the
gospel.
» When we give sacrificially, as this widow did, we store up treasures in heaven—
treasures that last!
» Giving is a heart matter. Our giving reflects where our hearts are invested.
» Giving is a faith matter. As we give to meet the needs of the church, we trust that God is
able to meet our needs.
HEBREWS 3:12-14
» In the church, we strive to give and receive daily encouragement to protect us from the
deceitfulness of sin.
QQ: How has the encouragement of the church helped you in your own fight against sin?
HEBREWS 10:23-25
» The fellowship helps us to be unswerving in our commitment to Christ.
» Do not give up meeting together – consistent fellowship needs to be a priority in our lives.
QQ: What will you need to change in your schedule to make the body (the church) a top priority
in your life?
FURTHER READINGS
Philippians 2:1-4 We are called to be one in spirit and purpose
Galatians 6:10 The church is a family of believers
Acts 4:32-35 Members of the church help to meet one another’s needs
Matthew 22:34-40 Loving your neighbor can be displayed in the church
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 We give to meet needs and spread the gospel globally
Purpose
To understand God’s intent for the church and how each of us can contribute to its overall
impact.
ACTS 2:42-47
» The first disciples were devoted to God and to one another.
» They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to
prayer.
» They spent time in each other’s homes and worshipped together.
» They were sincere and looked to meet each other’s needs.
QQ: How does this picture compare with your experiences of church life?
COLOSSIANS 1:15-18
» Jesus is supreme in the universe and in the church. He is the head and the church is his body.
» In the church we strive to follow his teachings and imitate his life.
EPHESIANS 2:19-22
» Here the church is spoken of as a family, as a kingdom, and as a building.
QQ: Which of these most connects with you?
» As the cornerstone, Jesus is the perfect stone by which every other stone is shaped.
EPHESIANS 4:1-6
» God loves unity and wants his family to be unified.
» We maintain unity by being humble, gentle, patient, and full of love.
» All believers everywhere are bound together and share one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and one Father.
EPHESIANS 4:11-16
» God gives gifts and puts people in roles to build up and strengthen his church.
» God’s aim is unity, maturity and protection from false teaching.
» Through honest and loving conversation, and each part doing its work, the church grows and is
built up in love.
ROMANS 12:4-8
» Just as in the human body, each member of the church is essential.
» God calls us to use our gifts to bless the church.
QQ: What do you think your gifts are and how do you think you can use them to glorify God and
build up his church?
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27
» We enter the body of Christ in baptism.
» We all need each other in the same way the body needs all of its parts!
» Members of the body share in each other’s joy and suffering.
MATTHEW 6:19-21, MARK 12:42-44
» In the church, we give generously to meet the needs of the church and to help spread the
gospel.
» When we give sacrificially, as this widow did, we store up treasures in heaven—
treasures that last!
» Giving is a heart matter. Our giving reflects where our hearts are invested.
» Giving is a faith matter. As we give to meet the needs of the church, we trust that God is
able to meet our needs.
HEBREWS 3:12-14
» In the church, we strive to give and receive daily encouragement to protect us from the
deceitfulness of sin.
QQ: How has the encouragement of the church helped you in your own fight against sin?
HEBREWS 10:23-25
» The fellowship helps us to be unswerving in our commitment to Christ.
» Do not give up meeting together – consistent fellowship needs to be a priority in our lives.
QQ: What will you need to change in your schedule to make the body (the church) a top priority
in your life?
FURTHER READINGS
Philippians 2:1-4 We are called to be one in spirit and purpose
Galatians 6:10 The church is a family of believers
Acts 4:32-35 Members of the church help to meet one another’s needs
Matthew 22:34-40 Loving your neighbor can be displayed in the church
2 Corinthians 9:6-9 We give to meet needs and spread the gospel globally
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